NCJ Number
111894
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (1988) Pages: 201-208
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report discusses a survey of female and adolescent victims of sexual abuse who received medical evaluation at Maricopa Medical Center (Arizona) between 1977 to 1980 to determine if they suffered from symptoms similar to the 'rape trauma syndrome' reported in adults.
Abstract
Of 268 patients who were evaluated originally, only 72 victims who continued to receive ongoing medical care were used in the study which involved a chart review and telephone interview. Results indicate that 11 of the 72 sexual abuse patients had been assaulted by a stranger; 26 had been assaulted by a relative, with the stepfather or biological father being the perpetrator in 17 of these incestuous assaults. Symptoms similar to the rape trauma syndrome were found in 48 of the 72 abused children, and only 26 of the matched control group. Common somatic complaints in the sexual abuse patients included dysuria, vaginal discharge, and chronic abdominal pain. Some emotional and behavioral problems noted during the followup period among the sexual abuse patients included sleep problems, runaway behavior, and suicide attempts. The duration of abuse and age of the victim at the time of abuse significantly affected the frequency of reported somatic symptoms. The type of abuse and type of assailant had no significant affect on the frequency of reported somatic and emotional reactions. There was no difference in the occurrence of school problems and early pregnancy between sexually abused patients and controls. Since 67 percent of all sexually abused patients suffered from emotional and somatic reactions, close followup of these patients is indicated. Tabular data and 13 references. (Author abstract modified)